Some anglers start packing away rods
and reels when the
weather cools.

But not others.

They know what’s coming.

Blackfishing season.

When chilly waters
begin to slow down
other fishing, the
temps actually make blackfishing turn on.

The tautog start feeding more aggressively at the saltwater wrecks, reefs and rough bottom along the Jersey Coast.

Fishing for them has got it all.

Big whales to 18 pounds. Finicky feeders that are somewhat difficult to catch. Strong fighters. And fish that are delicious.  

The bag limit for tog in New Jersey was hiked up to six fish per angler on November 16 from the previous limit of one.

Some of the party boats started sailing for the fish.

Here’s a rundown.

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS

Atlantic Star
Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina
7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Daily
Capt. Tom Buban
732-291-5508
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Capt. Tom Buban’s been a party boat captain a long time, since 1973, after he was discharged from the service. He first captained a couple of different party boats until he bought his own, the Atlantic Star, in 1987. Tog fishing became popular enough that he started running trips for them probably in the late ‘70s. Tom now targets blacks every fall and winter, running to the Scotland Grounds, Sandy Hook Reef, the Mud Buoy and sometimes 17 Fathoms and the Shrewsbury Rocks. Customer service is one of the important focuses on the boat, Tom says. He and the crew aim to make the trips as professional as possible. The boat's cleanliness is also emphasized. The experience makes the difference, Tom says.

BELMAR

Big Mohawk
Belmar Marine Basin
7 a.m.-3 p.m. Daily
Capt. Chris Hueth
732-974-9606
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The Hueth name is well-known at this New Jersey port. Capt. Chris Hueth from the Big Mohawk has worked in the Belmar party boat fleet almost his entire professional life, since the age of 22, about 25 years. His brother Greg Hueth is a well-known local angler, including a surf angler. Capt. Chris says many of his patrons are serious tog anglers, and the boat caters to customers looking for the big ones. The boat has developed a following, and hardcore blackfishers outnumber the tourists. The fact that many of the crew have been working for Chris more than 20 years is an indication of the operation’s success. The rocky bottom off Elberon, Long Branch and Sea Girt are the boat’s tog-fishing grounds. 

POINT PLEASANT BEACH

Norma K III
Ken's Landing Marina
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays
Office/Dock:
732-899-5491
Boat: 732-899-8868
Owners:
Capt. Ken & Norma Keller
Skipper:
Capt. Matt Sosnowski
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The family of
Capt. Ken and Norma Keller, namesake of the Norma K, were pioneers of sportfishing at Manasquan Inlet. Norma's father, Jack Kennel Sr., moved to Point Pleasant from Passaic in the 1920s, when the inlet was sand dunes
and weeds.

Originally an electrician, he invested in waterfront property, named it Ken's Landing Marina, and began renting slips. Thus began one of Jersey's most well-known docks. The "Ken" in the name came from the first three letters in Kennel, because another local marina was named "Jack's." But the name ended up fitting anyway, because Jack's daughter Norma married Ken Keller, who became a captain of the party boats that Jack started operating. By now, everbody thinks Ken was the founder of Ken's Landing, but not so.

Besides the party boat Norma K III, the family's vessels include the head-boat-sized charter vessels Miss Norma K, Norma K II and Miss Point Pleasant. The Norma K III's blackfishing trips ply waters from Sandy Hook Reef to grounds off Barnegat Inlet.